Cast the First Stone

Nicolas Cage has joined the cast of director Oliver Stone's controversial Edward Snowden movie. The National Treasure star joins Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto and Tom Wilkinson in the movie, which features Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the exiled U.S. whistleblower.
Cage will play a former U.S. intelligence official in the highly-anticipated international thriller.
Stone has already begun principal photography on Snowden in Germany.
It's not the first time Stone and Cage have worked together - the actor led the cast of the filmmaker's World Trade Center in 2006.
News of Cage's casting comes hours after documentarian Laura Poitras picked up her first Oscar for the documentary film Citizenfour, about Snowden's exile following his decision to open up about national security secrets.

Michael Keaton's critically-acclaimed Birdman will lead the way at the 2015 Independent Spirit Awards after landing six nominations on Tuesday (25Nov14). The Batman star, who is hotly-tipped to earn an Oscar nod for his role as a fallen movie star in the new drama, will compete for Best Male Lead against Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler), John Lithgow (Love is Strange), David Oyelowo (Selma) and rapper/actor Andre Benjamin (Jimi: All Is By My Side), while his co-stars Edward Norton and Emma Stone will do battle for the respective supporting actor and actress titles.
Birdman is also shortlisted in the Best Director (Alejandro G. Inarritu) and Best Feature categories.
Other Best Feature contenders are Love Is Strange and Whiplash, in addition to five-time nominees Selma and Boyhood.
Nightcrawler also nabbed five nods, including mentions for Best Screenplay and Best First Feature for director Dan Gilroy.
The Robert Altman Award, presented to a film's director, casting director and ensemble cast, will be handed to the people behind the scenes of Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice, while the cast and crew of Bennett Miller's Foxcatcher will be honoured with the Special Distinction Award.
The 30th Independent Spirit Awards, which recognises films made on a budget of less than $20 million (£12.5 million), will take place in Santa Monica, California on 21 February (15) - the eve of the 2015 Academy Awards.

British actress Emily Blunt came to the rescue of her friend Meryl Streep after the veteran star suffered a frightening fall on the set of their new film Into The Woods. The Devil Wears Prada co-stars reteamed for the big screen adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical, in which Streep plays a witch who places a curse on a childless baker and his wife, played by James Corden and Blunt.
During an interview with the cast on Yahoo!, Corden recalls a near-death incident involving the trio just a couple days after production kicked off.
He says, "It's day two of rehearsal, and we're in this mock-up bakery. Meryl's leaping and jumping up on things and coming up and getting into your face. And she leaps onto the table... catches her shoe in the dress, and starts to fall back headfirst towards this stone floor.
"And time slowed down and I thought, 'I'm about to watch Meryl Streep die.' I wish I could say I didn't consider my own career in this and I thought, 'This film's gonna go down - f**k!' (Director) Rob Marshall freezes and thinks, 'Oh my God, Meryl Streep's gonna die.'"
Corden admitted neither him nor Marshall came to the rescue of the Oscar winner - it was Blunt, who was pregnant with her first child while filming the movie.
He continued, "The person who stepped in and saved her life that day - was not the two men in the room - it was the pregnant woman. She leaped forward, catches Meryl Streep and we were all just gasped. I never forgot it really. Every day I kept thinking, 'Is she really gonna keep going for it at this level?' And she really did."

Paramount Pictures
As the fall draws closer, it brings with it the start of Oscar season, when every studio unveils its biggest, buzziest and most dramatic films in an attempt to earn some recognition on the biggest night in Hollywood. And while every year does turn out a great deal of excellent films and incredible performances, at a certain point they all start to feel the same, with one domestic drama blending into another and period pieces all attempting to outshine each other. But there is some variety hidden amongst the Oscar bait, with some films providing original, interesting stories or creative twists on classic plots. In case you’re looking to add some variety to your fall film lineup, we’ve run down the best, most original awards bait hitting theaters this fall. Once December hits, however, it's every moviegoer for himself.
Interstellar Smack dab in the middle of Oscar season, Christopher Nolan will finally unveil his latest epic, Interstellar. Part post-apocalyptic drama, part space opera, part Hollywood blockbuster, and Phase II of the McConaissance, the film follows a group of explorers who set off in for a wormhole that will allow them to travel from one solar system to another in search of resources that can save the earth now that it’s run out of food. So, you know, just your usual low-key, easy to follow, low-stakes story. Opens: November 7
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Every year, there’s at least one Oscar baity film the centers on a relationship falling apart, but The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby puts a new spin on that old classic by creating an epic, two-part film that tells the story from both his (James McAvoy) and her (Jessica Chastain) perspectives. Since premiering at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews, we’ve been waiting impatiently for our chance to see the film. As it turns out, we’ll actually get two: a one-film version which blends both sides together will be released along with the original two-film version. Opens: September 12
The Boxtrolls Of all the films being released at the end of 2014 – war epics, biopics, highly-anticipated comebacks – one of the most exciting is an animated film about the friendly trolls who live under the sewers of a small English village. That’s because The Boxtrolls is the latest film from Laika, the stop-motion studio that has made such wonderful films as Coraline and ParaNorman. Like its predecessors, The Boxtrolls looks like an incredibly detailed, magical, funny adventure, but unlike them, we’re hoping that the studio will finally be able to get the recognition they deserve for their labors of love. And with no Disney or Pixar films to compete, they might finally have a shot. Opens: September 26
Gone Girl We know, we know: you’re probably sick of hearing about Gone Girl. But the buzz surrounding the film, its stars, the book it’s based on doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon, so you might as well embrace it. Besides, it gives us yet another opportunity to study the enigma that is Ben Affleck’s career. Will he get a third Oscar for this? Will it finally make people take him seriously as an actor and filmmaker? Are we all going to stop praising him the second the first trailer for Batman V. Superman comes out? Nobody knows. Opens: October 3
Sony Pictures Releasing
Fury It wouldn’t be awards season without a World War II drama, and 2014 is no exception. However, in addition to the typical slate of inspiring biopics and domestic dramas about the home-front, Brad Pitt and David Ayer are offering Fury. It’s a small-scale – well, as small scale as a world war gets – film about the lives and missions of a single tank crew tasked with venturing behind enemy lines, and it features a cast of acclaimed, yet underappreciated actors like Logan Lerman, Jon Berenthal, and Michael Pena. Just when you thought you’d seen every single war drama that’s been made, there finally comes one that’s actually intriguing. Opens: November 14
Kill the Messenger His Avengers co-star Robert Downey Jr. might have a higher-profile film opening that day, but we’re much more interested in Jeremy Renner’s Kill the Messenger. Based on the true story of Gary Webb, a reporter who uncovered the CIA’s connection to the Nicaraguan drug trade, the film centers on the manhunt that Webb became a part of after going public with his evidence. It’s the biggest, most intense role that Renner has had since The Hurt Locker, and after years of being overlooked in favor of his showier co-star, we’re excited to see him get some of the attention he deserves. Opens: October 10
Birdman Everyone love a comeback story, right? Well, how about one that’s a little more surreal? That’s what Michael Keaton is going for with his upcoming film Birdman, which takes places over the course of the several days in which washed-up actor Riggan Thompson, who made his name as superhero, attempts to mount a comeback with a play that he wrote, directed and is starring in. With Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu at the helm and a cast featuring Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, and Edward Norton, we’d be interested in this even if it weren’t Keaton’s first big film in years. Opens: October 17
Beyond the Lights After winning over audiences everywhere with her breakthrough role in Amma Asante’s Belle, Gugu Mbatha-Raw is set to prove that she can do more than just period pieces with Beyond the Lights. Mbatha-Raw plays Noni, a Rihanna-like pop star struggling with being a puppet for her pushy stage mom and greedy record executives, who finds joy in a relationship with down-to-earth cop Kaz (Nate Parker). The story might be familiar to anyone who saw Britney Spears’ “Lucky” video, but it’s the perfect opportunity for Mbatha-Raw to really showcase her talent with a role that requires her to sing, dance, fall in love, and break our hearts. Opens: November 14
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In a new interview transgender actress and activist Laverne Cox discusses the significance of her Netflix series Orange Is The New Black. Now in its second season, the show has given great visibility to the LGBTQ community. Cox (who plays Sofia Burset) spoke with Paste Magazine and waxed poetic on patriarchy and redefning womanhood:
“What’s so deep about patriarchy and how it works is that it says, ‘This person is really a woman and this person isn’t,’” she says. “It denies certain people their womanhood, and I understand that womanhood is as much a social construct as race is.” She goes on to say that she appropriated Sojourner Truth’s speech title, “Ain’t I A Woman” for her speech in an attempt to claim her own womanhood “in a context which would often deny it.”
You can read her interview with the rest of the OITNB cast here. Natasha Lyonne (who plays Nicky Nichols on the show), Yael Stone (Lorna Morello), and Laura Prepon (Alex Vause) also open up about the importance of the series in terms of sparking a dialogue about women and sexuality.
Cox became the first transgender individual to cover TIME Magazine earlier this year, and we can expect more big moves from her as she continues to fight for equality.
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Walt Disney Pictures via Everett Collection
A complete ranking of every single Walt Disney Animation Studios movie, from worst to best.
53) Meet the RobinsonsA charmless stab at post-ironic humor, and particularly misguided story about adoption.
52) Dinosaur Do you remember anything about Dinosaur other than how unexpectedly terrifying Aladar looked? We didn't think so.
51) Home on the Range Between its lackluster plot, forgettable characters and complete lack of humor, Home on the Range is the definition of "bland children's movie."
Buena Vista Pictures via Everett Collection
50) Lilo and StitchDisjointed in its plot, characters, and sense of humor, Lilo &amp; Stitch has visual charm but little else going for it.
49) Treasure Planet Treasure Planet is a lot better than people give it credit for, but it's a little too complicated and charmless to be a success.
48) The Fox and the HoundMaybe I'm being a little harsh with this one, but The Fox and the Hound depressed the hell out of me when we were children and I can't help but hold a grudge.
47) Wreck-It RalphWith so much potential in its concept, Wreck-It Ralph is more of a colossal disappointment than it is a "bad movie." Dull, colorless, and stagnant when it should have been a funny, energetic adventure. Not without its moments, admittedly.
46) Oliver &amp; Company The film is entertaining enough, and the animated animals are fun to watch, but the only thing Oliver &amp; Company really has going for it is the score. And by score, we really mean "Why Should I Worry?"
45) The Hunchback of Notre DameIt gains a few points if only for the charms (both personally and thematically) of the gargoyle trio, but Hunchback is a nasty, nihilistic story that undercuts its own point (why the hell does Esmeralda end up with Kevin Kline?) and has some godawful songs to boot.
44) Winnie the Pooh (2011) It skews a little younger than most Disney movies, but it's narrated by John Cleese, so that counts for something. Mostly just forgettable.
43) Saludos Amigos It's got laughs, sure, but your mind will stray as soon as the credits roll... if not sooner.
42) Fun and Fancy Free Remember "Mickey and the Beanstalk?" This is the movie it comes from. That's all that's worth knowing about it.
41) Chicken LittleTremendously fragile, but funny throughout (not so much in terms of the forced pop culture gags, but there's other good material).
Buena Vista Pictures via Everett Collection
40) TarzanThis movie is boring.
39) Brother BearDid you like Brave? No? Not a big fan of Brave? Yeah, this is kind of like Brave. The second half of Brave, anyway.
38) BoltJohn Travolta. John Trabolta.
37) The Rescuers Down Under It gets bonus points for being the only film ever made that features a scene in which an albratross named Wilbur fixes his broken back by flying out the window of a mouse hospital. That kind of insanity should be rewarded.
36) Make Mine Music Our biggest problem with this movie is the grammatically atrocious title. Otherwise it's a good bit of fun.
35) HerculesDecent music, lame characters, and a story that balances out to abject neutrality.
34) The Three Caballeros Watching Donald Duck learn to samba is more entertaining that you'd expect.
33) Melody Time At a certain point, all of the early Disney anthology movies blend together; this is just the one we remember the best.
32) Atlantis: The Lost Empire An underrated adventure that takes itself a little too seriously. The best part of Atlantis is Kida, who has been overlooked for years, and deserves a place in Disney's princess lineup.
31) Bambi It might leave us wanting in all the functional elements of story and character, but with soft simplicity that translates to poetry, Bambi rings powerful right at the visceral level.
Buena Vista Pictures via Everett Collection
30) The Great Mouse Detective Why would you ordain the rhyme scheme of a song about a guy who hates being called a rat to conclude on the -at sound? You all knew the risks, you drunken rodents! But yeah, this movie is okay.
29) The Black Cauldron Not dark or weird enough for people who read the books, but a little too dark and weird for those who didn't; it's a solidly enjoyable film, but ultimately not all that special.
28) The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad Do The Wind in the Willows and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow have anything in common? Not really. Are they still entertaining anyway? Sure. Is Mr. Toad still a little disconcerting all these years later? Definitely.
27) The Rescuers Remember the albatross from The Rescuers Down Under? He has a brother named Orville, who is the best part of this first one.
26) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs The principle draw to Snow White is its historical significance, but it's a pretty neat cartoon when you cut to it.
25) Pocahontas Once, in a bar, I watched a half dozen 'roided up Long Island boys sing "Colors of the Wind," complete with wolf howls. That's all I have to say about Pocahontas.
24) Lady and the Tramp Depending on your perspective, this movie ruined/improved spaghetti forever.
23) TangledCharming, but surprisingly neutered for a post-aughts hit. "I've Got a Dream" could well be Disney's best song in 15 years.
22) The Sword in the Stone A magical spin on the classic Arthurian legends with plenty of wit and charm (courtesy of Merlin and Arthur), as well as some dry sarcasm courtesy of Archimedes, the greatest wisecracking avian sidekick this side of the Nile.
21) Sleeping Beauty Sure, it's got a lovely heroine, a charming prince, and three comedically bumbling fairies, but the real appeal of Sleeping Beauty is how visually stunning it is. Well, that and Maleficent, of course.
Walt Disney Pictures via Everett Collection
20) Pinocchio If you look at the plot on paper, this movie is really goddamn weird. Power to you, Disney, for making a classic out of a story about a puppet-turned-boy-turned-donkey who gets swallowed by a whale after a fox and a cat (not his cat — he has a cat too, but that's just a regular cat) trick him into playing pool at some weird Italian fellow's ad hoc summer camp, but is led to righteousness thanks to a North Atlantic cricket.
19) The Emperor's New GrooveThe fact that Eartha Kitt plays the villain is reason enough for The Emperor's New Groove to be this high on the list, but it also happens to be one of the funniest films Disney has ever made. But it's got plenty of heart as well, and John Goodman plays the down-on-his-luck good guy so well that it's hard not to be moved by Pancha and Kuzco's eventual friendship.
18) DumboIf nothing else, Dumbo is owed the superlative of Saddest Scene in a Disney Movie. Maybe any movie.
17) The AristocatsDisney's celebration of hipster culture: a tribute to the joys, plights, lingo, and, most of all, music of a certain class of people who know that they're better precisely because they're worse.
16) MulanIn contrast to the footloose and fun The Aritocats, Mulan is actually hyper-serious, shouldering the weight of Disney's first real stab at a progressive heroine and the backdrop of a real world war. But its appeal is not expensed, with Mulan playing as a compelling enough character to cart us through a journey of rigid self-discovery.
15/14) Fantasia/Fantasia 2000 Fantasia is the Disney movie that teachers would put on during indoor recess because it was sophisticated enough to almost count as something educational. It's as visually enchanting as it is inspiring and dense, inviting any and all viewers to appreciate the powers of the big screen on a pure, base level.
13) The Little Mermaid If you're a kid, it's a story about finding your place in the world. If you're a parent, it's about learning to let go and letting kids take risks. If you're anywhere in between, it's about watching an exasperated lobster learning to unwind through catchy musical numbers.
12) FrozenCase in point: someone within earshot of you is singing "Let It Go" right now. Structurally, the film has its flaws. But in spirit, and in its unprecedented underlying messages about feminism and homosexuality, it's remarkably important.
11) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)If you're reading this list, you're probably as in love with the very phenomenon of storytelling as we are. And few pieces of cinema exhibit that love to the degree of the first Winnie the Pooh feature, channeling literary passions through the most affable band of heroes in Disney history.
Buena Vista Pictures via Everett Collection
10) Beauty and the BeastPure spectacle, starting with Belle's wide-eyed ode to the French suburbs and lasting straight through gallant numbers about masculinity, dinner parties, and love. Beauty and the Beast might not have the best story or characters on the list, but it masters theatrics better than just about any other picture.
9) Cinderella Snow White might have come first, but Cinderella is really the inceptive example of "Disney magic." From the fairy godmother and fancy balls to the talking mice and terrifying stepmother, it's the kind of pure, sparkling fun that has come to define all of the studio's best films. "A Dream IAs a Wish Your Heart Makes" is practically Disney's thesis statement.
8) Alice in WonderlandIt was no mean feat to adapt one of the most imaginative novels Western fiction; Disney enveloped not only the visual ambition of Lewis Carroll's book, but also the palpable love for ideas, no matter how absurd. Alice in Wonderland knows when to stay grounded (rare, but it happens) and knows when and how high to soar. It's goofy, haunting, affectionate, and cruel. More than anything else, it's always interesting.
7) The Princess and the Frog An underappreciated triumph of the post-2000 era, Princess and the Frog combines the traditional tropes of classic Disney with the post-modernity of its latter day wonders. The songs and characters won't win individual recognition, but the story on the whole is a meticulously manufactured treat.
6) Robin HoodAnother overlooked gem, the zoological cornucopia that is Robin Hood gets by on a soft, slow, Mark Twainian flavor that is as inviting as it is relaxing. We're never coursing through the corridors of this pseudo-adventure as much as sprawling out on the fresh-cut grass of its sweet, aromatic, immersive world. It's a joy to live in from beginning to end.
Buena Vista Pictures via Everett Collection
5) AladdinProbably the most successfully cool of the Disney animated movies, Aladdin captures the essence of teen independence in a way no other film had before: hating your parents, your society, your lot in life... just wanting to be yourself (Jasmine) or be someone else entirely (Aladdin). And as far as voice acting goes, Aladdin's cast is unparalleled.
Walt Disney Pictures via Everett Collection
4) The Jungle Book Disney disguises a collection of philosophers as woodland critters bouncing about in this wondrous, if not wholly reverent, adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's novel. Some of the merriest tunes any picture on the list has to offer.
Walt Disney Pictures via Everett Collection
3) Peter PanPure adventure. Gumption, spirit, and the unfettered belief in the possible. That's what Peter Pan achieves with its delightful imagery and unbelievably fun and funny characters.
Buena Vista Pictures via Everett Collection
2) The Lion King The vastness of the '94 classic is something to behold; there's no wonder it made such a successful Broadway production. Disney's original masterpiece hits the mark in every department. Its animation is gorgeous, and its music is high art, and its characters make up perhaps the best ensemble on the list (great hero, fantastic villain, and riotous sidekicks on both sides of the fence). The Lion King is just about flawless and could easily take No. 1, if it weren't for that all imporant factor in the judgment of animated movies: sentiment. Lo and behold, our favorite Walt Disney Animated movie...
Walt Disney Pictures via Everett Collection
1) One Hundred and One DalmatiansThe inimitable beauty of One Hundred One Dalmatians, especially when considering it in the company of some of the other great pieces of animation set forth by Walt Disney Studios, is the miracle of its scale. In a tiny, almost microscopic setting (as compared to films about mystical worlds, jungle kingdoms, and such forth), we find such a tremendous story. Funny, exciting, and filled to the brim with the purest case of Disney magic.
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Bradley Cooper and his The Hangover director Todd Phillips have joined forces again to form a production company. The two friends have signed a three-year deal with Warner Bros. Pictures and their first project together will be Arms & the Dudes, a movie adaptation of a Rolling Stone article written by Guy Lawson about U.S. government arms dealers.
Both Phillips and Cooper have had production deals with Warners in the past - Cooper's 22nd & Indiana Pictures is the company behind Clint Eastwood's new movie American Sniper.
Announcing the new deal on Friday (16May14), Warners president of creative development and worldwide production Greg Silverman said, "The entire Warner Bros. family is excited about the great movies we know will come from this collaboration of two highly successful and original filmmakers.”
Oscar nominee Jonah Hill has been linked to one of the main roles in the first film under the new Cooper/Phillips banner, although it is unknown if he will officially join the cast, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Fired Flaming Lips drummer Kliph Scurlock has apologised for remarks he made about the band's frontman Wayne Coyne, insisting the singer is not a racist. The bandmates fell out after Scurlock ripped into Coyne's musician friend Christina Fallin for donning a Native American headdress for a promotional photo.
His social media comments upset the singer and led to him ending his professional relationship with Scurlock, who then approached music website Pitchfork.com and vented his frustrations about Coyne and the Fallin controversy.
Last week (ends09May14), Coyne fired back at the drummer in a Rolling Stone interview, during which he called his ex-bandmate a "compulsive pathological liar", adding, "He knows we struggled with him for years," and now Scurlock has apologised for the drama in a new Facebook.com post.
He writes, "I know that dude (Coyne) really, really well and I can say in no uncertain terms that he is absolutely NOT a racist. He's a lot like me in that he doesn't understand the depths of a lot of things. Because we, as a nation, do not understand."
He adds, "I see that I wasn't the perfect soldier in the band I painted myself to be (and thought I was.) There were lots of things I wasn't the least bit interested in... that I would just simply skate out of and not participate in. I operated under the delusion that it didn't matter (and it ultimately didn't. Those records got made or are getting made whether I'm around or not), but I can see how it might look to the other guys in the band and how it might cast doubts on my ultimate allegiance to said band. If that's what they were or are thinking, they're correct.
"As far as the Flaming Lips are concerned, you're either all in or you're all out. And that's an attitude I admire and part of what was so appealing to me when I joined that band in the first place. I have deluded myself over the past couple of years into thinking I was all in when I wasn't. I thought I could participate when it was something I was interested in and go off and do other things when it was something I wasn't. And that's a bulls**t attitude.
"I'm ashamed that I'm only now realizing it. I've thought a lot about my time with that band in the month and a half since I was fired and I can't believe I operated under the delusion of, 'everything was great and then all of a sudden Wayne flipped out and fired me because I called a friend of his a spoiled rich wannabe-hipster socialite c**t'."

DC Comics
The Hall of Justice is sure getting crowded. Joining Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman in Zack Snyder's upcoming Batman Vs. Superman film is Cyborg (per The Hollywood Reporter), a half man/half machine superhero who is fitted with cybernetic limbs after an accident destroys most of his body. Theater actor Ray Fisher has been cast in the role as the Justice Leaguer. A virtual unknown in Hollywood, Fisher is best known for portraying Muhammad Ali in a Broadway production of Fetch Clay, Make Man. Warner Bros. and DC have been accused of adding too much too fast to their cinematic mythos, and not taking the slow and steady route a la Marvel, but the studio's brazen pace shows no signs of slowing down with this latest announcement.
If the name "Cyborg" doesn't ring any bells, we wouldn't blame you. The character was a solidly B or C list DC superhero for years, but has enjoyed a recent upswing in popularity thanks to an upgraded role in the comic book universe. For those who are a little fuzzy on the details, we've provided a guide to tell you everything you need to know about the hero.
— Cyborg first appeared in DC Comics Presents #26 in 1980
— In the original comics continuity, Cyborg was originally a member of the Teen Titans, but in the recently rebooted DC comic book universe, The New 52, the character has been retconned into one of the seven founding member of the Justice League.
— In his original comic book origins, Victor is the son of Silas and Elinore Stone, married scientists who decide to use their child as a test subject for various scientific experiments. They boost his intelligence through various procedures, and Victor's IQ explodes to genius-levels. With a growing intellect, Victor becomes resentful of his parents. He loses interest in school and begins to get into trouble at school and with the law. While visiting his parents at S.T.A.R. Labs, an experiment in cross-dimensional portals goes awry. A monster crosses through a portal and kills Victor's mother. The monster then destroys much of Victor's body before Silas can send the creature back through the portal. Desperate to help his son, Silas outfits Victor's damaged body with experimental technology that saves his life, but permanently alters his physical appearance.
— Victor is initially horrified by his new appearance. After being ostracized by his former friends and kicked off the football team, Victor joins the Teen Titans, a group of teenage heroes that are similarly outcast due to their gifts. On the team, he joins the likes of Wonder Girl, Robin, Speedy, Kid Flash, Raven, and Beast Boy. Victor's father, feeling guilty over the way he treated his son over the years, constructs the Titans Tower, a home base for the team of young heroes. Victor finds acceptance in this new group of friends, who appreciate Victor's abilities, and see past his disfigurements.
— In The New 52, DC's updated comic book canon, Victor "Vic" Stone is a promising high school football player with an strained relationship with his father, Silas, a gifted scientist at S.T.A.R. labs. Victor gets into a heated argument with Silas that ends with a laboratory explosion that kills several people and mutilates Victor's body. Distraught over his son's injuries, Silas uses various alien technologies to repair Victor's body, turning him into Cyborg. Soon after, Victor helps Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and the Flash defeat Darkseid. After battling alongside his fellow heroes, Cyborg becomes a founding member of the Justice League. Victor eventually comes to terms with his new body and is able to forgive his father.
— Thanks to his advance cybernetics, Cyborg possesses a genius intellect, superhuman strength, super speed, advanced weaponry, near-invulnerability, teleportation technology through boom tubes, flight, and can interface with nearly all forms of technology.
— Unfortunately, Cyborg's cybernetics also leave him vulnerable to hacking.
— Throughout his comic book history, Cyborg has gone through several different cybernetic transformations and aliases. Over the years, he has been referred to Cyberion, Technis, Omegadrome, Sparky, and Cyborg 2.0. As Cyberion, Cyborg slowly became less human in outlook before reverting back to his normal self.
— The character's first on-screen appearance was in The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians, the last incarnation of the Super Friends. His character was voiced by Ernie Hudson.
— Cyborg has appeared in several films and television shows throughout the years, but is probably most well-known from the Cartoon Network series Teen Titans, an anime-inspired take on the Teenage superhero team.
— The character has also appeared in the DC animated films Justice League: Doom, Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, Justice League: War, JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time, and Lego Batman: The Movie as well as the television series Smallville, and Teen Titans Go!. The Smallville version of the character is notable for having all of the cybernetics enhancements under the skin.
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Walt Disney Studios via Everett Collection
When Meryl Streep won the Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actress in 2009 for her performance in the film Doubt, she encouraged Hollywood executives to give her co-star and Best Supporting Actress nominee Viola Davis a substantial part in a future project. “My God, somebody give her a movie,” Streep exclaimed to the A-list audience in her acceptance speech.
At the time, Davis was mostly known for her theater work , but her scene-stealing performance in the Oscar-nominated Doubt was impossible to ignore. Despite Davis' memorable presence and Streep's special shout-out, however, Davis' talents have been wasted on small, unsubstantial roles in Hollywood films developed for bigger movie stars like Hugh Jackman and Julia Roberts. Five years later, the question remains: Where is Davis' movie?
With the exception of Doubt, Davis' only other juicy film role has been Aibileen Clark in The Help. Davis is fantastic in the film, and she rightfully earned her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress (and wrongfully lost to Meryl Streep's cringe-worthy performance in The Iron Lady). However, critics were correct to acknowledge that The Help isn't exactly the kind of film black actresses are looking for. Melissa Harris-Perry, for example, claimed that The Help whitewashes history and perpetuates stereotypes the black community has been trying to move away from for years.
Perhaps the criticism would be less pronounced if Davis continued to star in major Hollywood films after The Help, but that hasn't been the case. Despite box office success and nominations from the major awards groups, Davis' association with The Help hasn't catapulted her to the movie star she deserves to be.
Of course there are many great actresses who never get their chance to shine, and there are just as many terrible actresses who get paid millions to open a film on 3,000 screens. That's the nature of a business that rewards popularity more than talent. However, Davis' case is unique precisely because when given her chance to carry a film as she does in The Help, she knocks it out of the park. She turns a potentially corny drama into a must-see cinematic event, and audiences around the world flocked to see her, despite the above criticisms.
I suspect that Davis is living comfortably and enjoying the success she's received thus far. She's probably just grateful to be a working actress. However, after seeing her be the best part of films that were made to be carried by millionaire movie stars like Roberts in Eat Pray Love and Jackman in Prisoners, it's infuriating to know that Davis hasn't been given the opportunity when so many other A-list movie stars are allowed to fail time and time again.
Whether this has to do with the racism of Hollywood or Davis' inept agent, I'm not sure, but it's about time that Davis gets the leading role she deserves.
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Synopsis

Based on the true story of an ex-nun turned high school teacher who is raped and, because of her religious convictions, decides to keep the baby. The school administration fires her for being an unmarried mother, and she fights back to try and regain her job.